THE BIG PUSH

'Impatient' Robins urges Stoke to make jump back into the top six

- Peter Smith

RIGHT TRACK: Bojan (left) and team-mate Takumi Minamino Picture: Lewis Storey/Getty Images

(Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

MARK Robins admits he is impatient for Stoke City to make their next leap as he targets a big push to get back into the top six.

Stoke are back in Championship action today at home against QPR (3pm), sitting one point outside the playoff places with 20 matches remaining.

It is a huge turnaround from the position Robins, below, walked into 12 months ago at the other end of the table and, after a burst of injuries over the last few weeks, he knows the importance of keeping his squad as strong as possible to sustain a challenge for promotion.

But he is enjoying seeing the progress of both individuals and the collective, a growing unity with fans and excitement about what is possible.

He said: "You win together, you lose together, draw together. It's not like you can just say, 'Argh, forget it now.